The amigurumi was inspired by a Japanese confection called hanabira mochi (花びら餅). Its name means “flower petal mochi” as it supposedly resembles a flower petal. The confection is made of a soft outer layer of gyuhi mochi wrapped over pink hishi mochi, miso-flavoured white bean paste and a thin stick of candied burdock root.

This unique mochi is a seasonal confection that is only available during the Japanese New Year in January and the first tea ceremony of the year. It has a long history and its ancient origins date back to Heian period Japan (794-1185).

Pattern Notes

This pattern is beginner-friendly and easy to make.

It consists of 4 parts: the oval shaped white mochi, the square shaped pink hishi mochi, the semicircle shaped miso-an filling and the long, thin burdock root.

Finished Size

Approx. 10.5cm at its longest, 4cm at its widest, and 2.5cm at its highest.

The finished size may vary depending on yarn weight, hook size and crochet tension.

Materials & Tools

• Yarn, fingering/sports weight in white, pink, beige and light brown
• 2.5mm and 3.0mm crochet hooks
• Stuffing
• Stitch markers
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Pink colouring, e.g. non-toxic pastel or paint (optional)
• Safety eyes (optional)
• Embroidery thread (optional)

I used Lion Brand Feels Like Butta in white for the mochi, Scheepjes Catona No.409 Soft Rose for the hishi mochi, No.404 English Tea for the miso-an and No.179 Topaz for the burdock.

Crochet Techniques

This pattern uses US crochet terms and consists of the following stitches and techniques:

MR : magic ring
sl st : slip stitch
sc : single crochet
hdc : half double crochet
inc : increase - 2 sc in the same st
3-sc inc : 3 sc increase (i.e. 3 sc in the same st)

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